Hose-carriage



i I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1. E. F. STEUK.

. HOSE CARRIAGE.

No. 326,930. Patented Sept. 22, 1885.

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5 SheetsSheet 2.

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B. F. STEGK.

HOSE CARRIAGE.

Patented Sqpt. 22, 1885.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3. E. F. STEOK.

HOSE CARRIAGE.

No. 326,930. Patented Sept. 22, 1885.

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B. F. STEOK.

HOSE CARRIAGE. No. 32630. I y Patented'SepLZ, 1885.

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E. F. STECK.

HOSE CARRIAGE.

No. 326,930.- Patented Sept. 22, 1885.

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ERNST F. STECK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HOSE-CARRIAGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 326,930, dated September 22, 1885.

Application filed June 9, 1885.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ENRsT F. STEOK, acitizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Hose-Carriages, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in hose-carriages of that kind in which the hosereel is mounted upon afour-wheeled body designed to be drawn by one or more horses.

In vehicles for the present or analogous purposes a box closed at the sides and rear has been provided under the drivers seat. A further object of this invention is to provide the hose-carriage with a space located under the drivers seat as a receptacle for coats or the like, but requiring for its sides and rear walls no material additional to a. series ofshort upright metal posts, which are employed for the purpose of supporting the drivers seat above the body-frame. In this way a saving in weight and cost of material is eflected, and a coat-box provided, \\'l1iel1,\\ith0ut the presence ofa coat or like article, is not noticeable as a receptacle, and hence does not present the unsightly ap 'iearance of a box provided with closed sides. To such end the drivers seat is formed by a light strong metal frame, which is supported by means of short metal posts from a similar frame, which is secured to the side bars of the body-frame. The upper and the lower frame each have a horizon tal coveringplate, the one of the upper frame serving as the bottom of the drivers seat and the top of the coat-receptacle, and the one of the lower frame serving as the bottom of the coat-receptacle.

Another object is to provide a simple and efficient arrangement of brake mechanism for controlling the speed at which the reel revolves during the unwinding of the hose, or for positively arresting the rotation of the reel, as occasion may require.

Owing to the high rate of speed with which hose-carriages are drawn over the road, and their frequent liability to tip over, it is found desirable to support the rear end of the body frame directly upon the rear springs, but to support the forward end of the body upon a (No mrdel.)

fifth-wheel having its lower circle hinged upon a springsupport by means of a horizontal pivot, which is at all times maintained at right angles to the axle, as hereinbefore employed in other kinds of wagons. snch preferred arrangement a further object is to provide a novel and substantial construction of metal gear-frame adapted to support bearings for the horizontal pivot, and embracing in its structure the elements of great strength, durability, and an especial adaptability for a hose-carriage, which is subject to frequent and considerable shock in its travel, and which, by reason of such liability to accident and of the serious calamities inflicted by breakage, it is desirable to render as absolutely free from breakage as is. practically possible.

Further objects are to provide certain improved details of construction, all as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hose-carriage embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3 is a side elevation with the two nearest side wheels removed and the axles shown in section, a portion of one of the side bars of the body-frame being also broken away, and the drivers seat being shown in section. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the forward portion of the running-gear. Fig. 5 is a part front end elevation and part section, and shows one of the front wheels raised from the ground. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view illustrating the construction of the drivers seat and its support, which, in conjunction with the seat, forms a coat-recep tacle. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the upper section of the fifth-wheel. Fig. Sis a like view of the lower section of the fifth-wheel. Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a gear-frame upon which the fifth wheel is hinged. Fig. 10 is a front view, and Fig. 11 a vertical section, of a rack, which is provided as a means for looking a foot-lever connected with a brake mechanism for controlling the hose-reel.

The body of the four-wheeled hosccarriage herein shown is preferably formed by ametal frame comprising in its structure the two parallel side bars A A, which are rigidly con- In connection with .frame at or near their rear ends.

nected together by means of appropriatelyarranged cross-bars, and bent upwardly at a point between their front and rear ends to provide an elevated base-support for the drivers seat B.

The hose-reel O is arranged between the side bars at a point back of the drivers seat andjournaled in bearings upon the said side bars, and in rear of the hose-reel is arranged a low-down step or platform, D, for one or more attendants to stand upon.

The body of the.hose-carriage is supported over the rear axle by means of any desired arrangement of springs-for example,the rear side-springs E are clipped at their middle upon the rear axle, and at their forward ends connected with the side bars of thebody-frame, and a transversely-arranged rear end spring, E, is connected at its ends with the rear ends of the side springs and at its middle clipped to a cross-bar A, Fig. 2, which isemployed to connect together the side bars of the body- The body of the hose-carriage is also spring-supported over the forward axle, but at this portion of the running-gear a hinge-joint having a horizontal pivotal axis maintained at all times at right angles to the forward axle,or to a vertical plane passing longitudinally through said axle, is provided in the connection between the forward axle and the body. To such end the fifth-wheel F, upon which the forward portion of the body is supported, is hinged upon a gear-frame. G, which latter is in turn secured upon and sustained by the front sprlngs.

The hinged or pivotal connection between the fifth-wheel and the frame G is attained as follows: The upper half or circle, f, of the fifth-wheel is rigid with the body-frame of the hose-carriage,and the lower half or circle, f of the fifth-wheel is hinged upon the frame by means of a horizontal pivot-bolt-,H,secured in bearings upon one of said members and passing through eyes upon the other member, the bearings/in which the pivot is secured being F herein shown upon the frame G, and the eyes through which the pivot passes being represented as depending lrom and rigid with the lower half or section, f of the fifth-wheel. The pivot H lies over the frame G, and is maintained at right angles to the forward axle by reason of the connections of the frame with the springs and of the springs with the said axle. By means of such arrangement of parts the body of the hose-carriage will be maintained in an upright position by the rear springs, thereby permitting the forward axle to be raised from either end without disturbing the position of the body. Should,for example,either front wheel be raised by running over an obstacle in the road, as in Fig. 5,the tilting of the. front axle will in no wise induce a side tilt of the body of the hose-carriage, and by reason of the pintle or pivot H being at all times at right angles to the forward axle, a tilting of said axle when swung round to either side in turning the hose-carriage will not effect a lateral tipping or side rock of the body.

It will also be seen that should either one of the rear wheelsbe unduly raised or lowered both front wheels will be down upon the ground,with the front axle in its proper horizontal position, and that under such circumstances should the sudden elevation of one of the rear wheels tend to tip the body to one side the forward portion of the body at one side of the pivot H will strike upon the gearframe G, which will thereby act as a stop for arresting further tipping of the body. While various devices could be employed for connecting the body with the fifth-wheel F and for providing bearings for the horizontal pivot or pintle H, means are herein shown which provide a strong and simple construction and arrangement of parts. These special'means are as follows:

The body-frame of the carriage is at its for- I ward end portion seated and secured upon a pair of transversely-arranged blocks or bolsters, F, which are in turn seated and secured upon the upper section of the fifth-wheel, as in Figs. 3 and 5.

The upper half or section,f, of the fifthwheel is provided with a spider, f, Fig. 7, having at its center a halfhub, f and the lower half or section,f, Fig. 8, of the fifthwheel is provided with an H shaped plate, f which is bolted to the under side of said section. This platef is provided with pendent eyes f", for the pivot or pintle H, and it is further provided with a centrally-arranged half-hub, f which, when the two sections are fitted together, registers with the hubf of the upper section. These hubs provide abearing for the fifth-wheel piy ot or king-bolt J", as usual, as shown in Fig. 5.

The gear-frame G, which is best shown in Fig. 9, comprises in its structure a pair of bars, 9, of angle-iron,which are upset at their ends, so as to form angular bends, as at g and g". The bars 9 form the outer side bars of the gear frame, and have their rear ends, 9 fitted against a piece of angle-iron,which is bent or upset, s as to provide the two longitudinal bar-portions, g united at the rear by a crosspiece, 9 integral with the longitudinal portions, and all formed of angle-iron. The portions 9 of this piece of angle-iron are also upset at their forward ends, so as to provide the angular bends y. The rear portions, 9 and g, of these bars are backed by and bolted to a bar, 9', while their forward end portions, 9 and g, are bolted to acrossbar, also of angle-iron, thereby forming a strong frame, of which the side bars, 9 g, and the front and rear transversely-arranged bars, 9 and y, constitute the outer portion, and the bent bar g g the inner or middle portion, all lying in one and the same plane, so as to provide a strong flat frame. This frameis further strengthened by cross-bars G, provided with bearings g for the pivot H, and by one or more cross-braces,

G, bent under and secured to the bars 9 by bolts 9, and at their ends bent up and connected by clip-plates g with the side bars, 9.

\Vhen the parts are properly fitted together, the eyesf come between the bearings g", the pivot or pintle H being under such arrangement arranged to pass through the eyes, and also through the bearings, in which latter it is secured by a nut or in any appropriate way.

The frame G is arranged over the front springs, with which it is connected, and the hearings for the pivot or pintle H are arranged so as to hold the samein a position at right angles to the front axle-that is to say, at right angles to a plane passing vertically and longitudinally through the front axle.

J J represent clips or shackles secured on the ends of bar which has its said ends extended somewhat out from the sides of the frame G.

The front side springs, I, are connected at their forward ends with the shackles J, and at their middle are secured upon the front axle.

The transverse]yarrangedfront spring, I. is connected at'its ends with the rear ends of the side springs, I, and is bolted at its middle to the rear end of the gearframe Gsvhich, for such purpose, has its rear cross-bar, 9 provided with perforated lugs g with which the clips or bolts for securing spring I may engage.

By the foregoing means the front springs, which are secured upon the front axle, are secured to the frame G, so that when the front axle-is swung round either way the pivot or pi-ntle H will maintain a constant relative position to the front axle.

The drivers seat B is supported over the upward bends a in the side bars of the bodyframe by means of posts B and is constructed as best shown in Fig. 6, wherein B" indicates a rectangular metal frame formed of flange or angle iron,whieh is supported upon afraine, B of like construct-ion, by means of theposts B The frame B" has its vertical flange I) turned up, and its horizontal flange portion 1) arranged to form an inner ledge along the bottom of the frame, while the lower frame. is reversed in position, so as to turn its vertical flange portion 1)" down and bring its inner horizontal flange portion or ledge b at the top. The ends of the posts B fit against the ledges b and b" of these frames, which latter are firmly tied or bolted together by means oftie-bolts or tie-rods extending through the hollow metal posts B The seat-rail If has its ends bent down and secured against the inner side of the vertical flange portion 1) ofthe upper rectangular seatframe, B, and the several rods which serve to brace the seat-rail at intervals are likewise secured at their lower ends to the said vertical flange portion of the upper rectangular seatframe.

A bottom for the seat is provided by a per frame, B, and secured by rivets upon the inner ledges, if, of the said frame.

The lower rectangular frame, B, is arranged between the upwardly-bent portions a of the side bars of the body-frame, and has its end vertical flange portions firmly bolted against the inner sides of the side bars at such point in the body-frame.

In this way a strong, durable, and compare. tively light open or skeleton box-frame is provided which involves the several functions of a drivers seat, a seat-support, and a coat box or receptacle, it being seen that the space between the two bottom plates B and B" is readily available for the purpose of holding coats or the like, which can be placed therein from the front, and which will be prevented from falling out at the sides or rear by reason of the posts 13.

The strength and rigidity of the rectangular frames B and B is somewhat increased by the bottom plates, B and B, and these frames, in addition to their service members of a structure which provides a drivers-seat and coat-receptacle, also serve as braces for connecting together and holding the side bars of the body-frame.

At each side of the body-frame is arranged a sheet-metal box or casing, K, adapted to inclose certain gearing for operating the reelaxle, which said gearing is not herein shown. The axle or spindle is of the reel 0 extends through these casings and has its bearings in stout metal plates It, (see Fig. 3,) which are fitted and bolted to the side bars, A, ofthe bodyframe, and also fitted against and secured to the outer sides of the casings K. These plates serve to brace the casings K and to provide bearings for the reel-spindle, and are each provided with an aperture, through which a key or other device for operating the gearing withinthe easing can be inserted.

The reel spindle or axle is provided with hubs C, Fig. 2, fixed thereon at points between the casings K and the ends of the body of the reel. Friction brake straps or bands L are passed around the hubs G and connected at I their ends with vibratory levers L, which are arranged forward of the reel-spindle and pivoted at their lower ends to the sides of the body-frame.

The levers L are connected by extensible rods L (which are jointed, as at Z) with arms Lfirising from and rigid with aroek-shaft, L. This rock-shalt is mounted in bearings upon a cross-bar, A, of the body-frame, and is provided with a forwardly-extending arm, L, which passes below the coat-receptacle and terminates at a point within convenient reach of the drivers foot.

The arm L, which constitutes a foot-lever, is provided at its forward end with a pivoted foot'rest, L, designed to be brought into engagcment with a short vertically-arranged rack, Z, so that the foot-lever can be locked in such position as the required tension of the metal plate, B, which is fitted within the upbrake-straps L may require. By means of this arrangement of brake mechanism the op eration of the brake-straps is placed under con trol of the driver, and an effective construction provided for either positively holding the reel against rotation or for regulating the speed at which it can be turned in paying out the hose. The rack l, which is best shown in Figs. 10 and 11, is formed by aplate toothed upon its front side, and provided with a vertical opening, Z, which serves as apassage for the foot-lever L This slotted rack-plate is bolted to a pair of short vertical bars, Z, which are bolted at their upper ends to the flange portion (2 of the lower frame, B and at their lower ends provided with perforated feet or lugs, which are bolted upon the floor B in front of and upon a level below the d-rivers seat, as in Fig. 3. The bars I not only serve to support the rack-plate, but also afford rigid connections between the frame 13 and the floor B thereby aiding in bracing the structure.

The hose-carriage is further provided with brakes for the rear wheels and a suitable mechanism placed under control of the driver and adapted for operating the saidbrakes. It is also provided with a gong and a striking mechanism at the front, with side lamps supported upon brackets, which are attached to the posts employed for supporting the drivers seat, and with a box arranged at the forward portion of the rear low-down step. These last-mentioned features are, however, not herein claimed, and hence need not be specially described.

The rack in Fig. l is shown as constructedsomewhat differently from the rack in Figs. 3, 10, and 11, but the construction in these last-named figures is the preferred one.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A hose-carriage provided with adrivers seat supported above the body-frame by posts, combined with a bottom situated within the space which is bounded by the posts and in a plane below the seat-bottom, so as'to provide below the seat an open coat-receptacle, substantially as described.

2. The drivers seatconstructed withahorizontally-arranged rectangular frame of angleiron, having a bottom plate forming the seatbottom, in combination with a similar frame and plate supported by the body-frame and a series of posts intermediate of the two angle-iron frames, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The hose-reel having a spindle provided with hubs, in combination with the frictionbrake straps passing around said hubs and connected with vibratory levers, a foot-lever within reach of the driver and rigid with a transversely-arranged rock-shaft, arms rising from the rock-shaft, and connections between said arms and the levers to which the frictionbrake straps are attached, substantially as described.

t. In combination with a brake mechanism for controlling the reel, a rack-plate secured to bars connecting the beams B with the floor B in front of the dri-vers seat, and a footpiece applied to a foot-lever of the brake mechanism and adapted to engage the said rack-plate, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. The combination, with the hose-carriage body, spring-supported upon the rear axle, and a gear-frame spring-supported upon the front axle and provided with a horizontal pivot as a support for the fifth-wheel, of the fifth-wheel provided with a spider, f, which is rigid with its upper circle, and a plate, 1, which is rigid with its lower circle, said plate and spider being each provided with a centrally-arrangedhalf-hub for the king-bolt,and

the plate being provided with depending eyes for the horizontal pivot. carried by the gear-frame, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the hose-carriage body and the fifth-wheel; having its upper circle attached to the hose-carriage body, and its lower circle hinged upon a horizontal pi vot, H, of the metal springsupported gearframe G, provided with bearings for said pivot,and constructed with an outer portion composed of side bars, 9 g, upset at their ends, with front and rear transversely-arranged bars secured tothe front and rear bent orupset ends of the side bars, and a middle portion which is secured: within the said outer portion and composed of a bar bent to form the two longitudinal portions g and-"a rear transverse portion, 9, said members being organized to provide a structure substantially as and for the purpose described.

ERNST F. STEGK.

Witnesses:

CHAs. PAGE, WM. BowE.

IOO 

